Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund (SWSQF) Eligibility Criteria 2026

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Kyle

Eligibility Criteria 2026 for the City of London Law Society Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund (SWSQF) sets requirements for applicants preparing to begin the Solicitors Qualification Exam (SQE) in 2026. Applicants must work in social welfare law with a minimum 70% focus, evidenced by current employment or signed contracts, and must agree to promptly report employment changes that could affect eligibility or require repayment. Criteria also cover educational qualifications at specified UK/overseas levels, financial thresholds including loan/gift and savings limits, salary caps by London status with exceptions, and commitments to SQE course dates, QWE, and first-attempt completion.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages7

Reading Time18 min

AccessFree to download

Eligibility Criteria

Working in Social Welfare Law

Educational Qualifications

Financial Criteria

SQE and Qualification

Release of Funds to complete the SQE (parts 1 and 2) and Clawback

The City of London Law Society Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund (SWSQF) "Delivering front-line social welfare solicitors ” Eligibility Criteria The Social Welfare Solicitors Qualification Fund (SWSQF) Eligibility Criteria 2026 Please note that the SWSQF 2026 is only open to those ready to start the Solicitors Qualification Exam (SQE) in 2026 To be eligible to apply for the SWSQF, the applicant will be required to confirm and provide evidence to support (where stated in the Guidance for Applicants Document) the following: Working in Social Welfare Law For the purposes of this section 1, social welfare law is as defined in section 1.4. 1.1 The applicant is currently working in, has a signed contract to work in, or a signed training contract to work in an organisation where the work of that organisation enables the applicant to meet the minimum 70% focus on social welfare law outlined in sections 1.2 and 1.3 below. That employment is paid or, in the case of future employment, will be paid. 1.2 Consistently on average at least 70% of the applicant’s current work (or, if contracted to work in the future, will upon joining) focus on social welfare law. 1.3 It is anticipated that consistently on average at least 70% of the applicant’s work will continue to focus on social welfare law during their SQE and for two years after their SQE qualification has been gained and the applicant has been admitted to the Roll of Solicitors in England and Wales. 1.4 Social welfare law consists of legal representation for low-income, disadvantaged communities; provided to individuals. Examples of practice areas include: 1.4.1 Actions against public authorities 1.4.2 Crime 1.4.3 Debt 1.4.4 Community care 1.4.5 Discrimination 1.4.6 Education 1.4.7 Employment 1.4.8 Family 1.4.9 Housing 1.4.10 Immigration 1.4.11 Inquests 1.4.12 Mental health 1.4.13 Welfare benefits 1.5 The applicant agrees to promptly informing [SWSQF@clls.org](SWSQF@clls.org) , SWSQF Committee and BARBRI should there be any changes to their employment, during the application process and/or after funding has been awarded. This would include (and not limited to) change in employer, type of social welfare work carried out by the applicant or decision to leave the social welfare sector entirely. The applicant understands such changes may make them ineligible for the fund and/or may be required to pay back any funding received. Educational Qualifications The applicant must have one of the following: 2.1 A UK degree awarded at Level 6 (or above) by a recognised degree-awarding body. This is usually an undergraduate degree but can also be diplomas or other qualifications 2.2 An equivalent UK qualification. These are: 2.2.1 An accredited qualification at level 6 (or above) of the Framework for Higher Education Qualifications, awarded by a recognised degree-awarding body 2.2.2 A regulated qualification at level 6 (or above) of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) . This includes CILEx level 6 qualifications 2.2.3 An apprenticeship at level 6 or above, approved by the government departments of England, Wales or Northern Ireland 2.2.4 A qualification or apprenticeship at level 9 or above of the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework , accredited by the Scottish Qualifications Authority (SQA) or awarded by a Scottish degree awarding body. 2.3 An overseas qualification: 2.3.1 Shown to be equivalent to either a UK degree/equivalent qualification through a UK NARIC Statement of Comparability; or 2.3.2 An accredited qualification at level 6 (or above) of the European Qualifications. Financial Criteria Applicants are required to confirm: 3.1 At the time of application and for those applying for SQE1 and 2, when starting the SQE 1 preparation course and for those only applying for SQE2, when starting the SQE 2 preparation course: 3.1.1 They do not have access to fam

FAQs

Who is eligible to apply for the SWSQF 2026?

SWSQF 2026 applications are open only to those ready to start the Solicitors Qualification Exam (SQE) in 2026. Applicants must meet the working, educational, financial, and SQE commitment criteria described in the document.

What work requirement must applicants meet under social welfare law?

Applicants must be currently working in social welfare law, or have a signed contract/training contract to do so, with at least 70% average focus on social welfare law. They must also ensure this focus is expected to continue for the SQE period and for two years after qualification and admission to the Roll of Solicitors in England and Wales.

What financial and salary limits apply?

Applicants must confirm they do not have access to familial loans or financial gifts exceeding £11,500 total, and that they do not have more than £21,500 in savings/current accounts/ISA or held elsewhere. Salary above £45,000 in London or £38,000 outside London is not eligible unless the applicant receives Universal Credit and/or Working Tax Credits and the salary is not in excess of the stated thresholds.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Kyle

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